https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Mon, 11 May 2026 06:12:03 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2036347 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:57:49 +0000 Ms.Badger 2036347@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I love the BaBy-Q - I think i'll steal it and throw one after baby is here for a meet the baby and see our new house (which is really not new anymore) party. I just don't think i'll have the energy to host a real house-warming (and get the house ready for a party) until after baby </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2036340 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:54:51 +0000 Torchwood 2036340@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Sapphiresun: Sorry, didn't see this. No, it's not typical around here to throw your own shower. Mine were hosted by various friends and family last time. I want to do my own this time. Partially just because I want to do it, and was sad that last time I couldn't be involved in the planning. But mostly because these people have already spent the time and money to host showers for us, and for the same reason that we don't want gifts, we don't want to have anyone have to go through that again. It's also, I think, easier to make it clear it's not a true shower if we're hosting it ourselves. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2036318 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:32:36 +0000 turkeylurkey 2036318@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>btw: Pinterst ousted me! So make a secret pin board. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2036313 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 17:29:58 +0000 turkeylurkey 2036313@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We just did the sprinkle theme and did desserts with sprinkles. But another idea if you want to wait until after the baby is a Sip and See. I've only been to one and it was fun. Adult beverages and very laid back. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2036190 Thu, 22 Jan 2015 16:38:40 +0000 NorCalWayfarer 2036190@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I like the idea of a BBQ or Sprinkle, to keep it casual and clearly not a shower. And I personally think it's fine to say no gifts, or in lieu of gifts please considering donating to ____ or in lieu of gifts please help us build Baby Torchwood's library by bringing a book. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2032092 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 09:25:56 +0000 LuLu Mom 2032092@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I would just say "One Last Hoorah" and explain you want to get all your friends/family together for a BBQ/party before the craziness of a newborn. No gifts please as this is a time to relax and enjoy company before our life starts to revolve around our little bundle of joy. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2032084 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 09:16:17 +0000 Mae 2032084@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe don't make it SO much about the baby and then it won't seem shower-y? Like just throw a "last hurrah before parenthood" bbq and that just seems like a fun party to celebrate the close of this chapter of your lives and the start of the next chapter... and it does not seem so much like something you'd bring a gift to </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2032078 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 09:10:46 +0000 mrs.shinerbock 2032078@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I always like activities at showers instead of games, like decorating baby blocks, making a "Baby's 1st ABCs" book, or making headbands. It is something to do and people can participate if they want, but it doesn't take everyone's attention like a game. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2032012 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 08:19:56 +0000 looch 2032012@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about putting a line on the invite, or an insert, whatever, that asks for a book for your child's library instead of a gift? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031882 Tue, 20 Jan 2015 01:01:51 +0000 Sapphiresun 2031882@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Maybe this is regional, but is it common to host your own baby shower? I was going to suggest having a "sip and see" kind of thing after the baby is born (which is what we did) but saw that you think it would be hard afterward. Some of my family members threw the shower, and all I had to do was dress myself and baby and show up.<br /> It also then gets around the awkwardness of asking for gifts or not, because you're not the host. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031694 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 21:02:39 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2031694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Yours could say:</p> <p>NO GIFTS for the parents to be!</p> <p>We ask that you consider donating to the PICK A CAUSE</p> <p>Suggested Items:<br /> List a four or five tangible items </p> [attach=3033/15/nigdof.446x600.No-Gifts-Invite.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031651 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 20:29:24 +0000 MrsRcCar 2031651@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Torchwood: I love the Baby Q idea!!! Whatever you decide will be great. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031637 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 20:20:38 +0000 Torchwood 2031637@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Tanjowen: Unfortunately that's one of those good ideas that doesn't work for us. We're cloth diapering, and my family doesn't drink at all (religious types). </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031617 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 20:07:39 +0000 Ginabean3 2031617@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I LOVE the Baby Q idea! I might steal it for myself. :-)</p> <p>I never had a shower for #1 (she came before my shower...oops!) and since we have so much stuff already we really don't want/need stuff for #2. Even if it's a boy, he will reuse a lot of her big stuff. So we were thinking about having a co-ed BBQ just to celebrate! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031616 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 20:02:47 +0000 regberadaisy 2031616@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I was going to suggest a BBQ so I love the idea of a baby q! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031611 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 19:57:19 +0000 Tanjowen 2031611@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about a beer &amp; diaper cookout? One of my friends threw one for us and invited all couples. The entry "fee" was a 6 pack of beer to share and a package of diapers. It took the stress of everyone of what to get us and we just had a lot of fun! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031568 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 19:09:41 +0000 blackbird 2031568@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think a casual bbq is a great idea! Doesn't scream "shower/gifts" to me. But as a friend, I would bring another gift just because that's my style </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031566 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 19:08:30 +0000 Torchwood 2031566@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Mrs. Lemon-Lime: I just saw this shower favor on Pinterest! (Yes, I'm wasting way too much time doing research on this today. Which I need to stop since we haven't even announced yet and it's going to be pretty obvious if I don't stop pinning baby stuff!) </p> [attach=3674/15/nig8e6.341x513.33daae2d64f88da1898bef432c704b99.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031565 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 19:06:44 +0000 Mrs. Lemon-Lime 2031565@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How about calling it a Send-off to Parenthood?</p> <p>Theme: Sugar and Spice with an out of this world modern aesthetic.</p> <p>The other day I found a really nice no gift w/ suggested donation insert on a blog the other day. I will hunt it down and post it for you. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031561 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 19:02:57 +0000 Torchwood 2031561@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Anya: I think it will depend on whether we have family and friends together or separate. I wouldn't want to try to do games with both, but friends would like it. (The one shower where we had a few games was the all friends one, and they all got really into them and had fun.) I do like the things like messages to baby. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031555 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 19:01:20 +0000 Anya 2031555@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Baby Celebration sounds good to me. You know your guests, but I feel like it's not necessary to have planned activities as long as you have good food and good company. If you do want activities, more passive sentimental things would be good, like having people write out wishes/advice for your baby that you can put in a book or collage, that kind of thing. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031554 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 19:00:33 +0000 Torchwood 2031554@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@LAZB: Yes, please!</p> <p>@Mrs.Pinecone316: Yeah, that was kind of my concern. I mean, I'm not going to turn down free stuff, but I don't want people to think at all that we expect it. And we still have our old registries (I just updated the new due date). I don't want to get rid of them since we can still use the registry completion coupons and things, and I want to use them for Christmas later if people are looking for ideas. (A lot of people in my family would prefer you just tell them what to buy.) I won't mention them for sure, but if anyone searches for us they'll find them. </p> <p>@Little Misters Mom: See above, but I like the presence line.</p> <p>@Mrs. Confetti: I'll ask DH what he thinks about the donation thing. Just not sure what we'd do it to. Something like March of Dimes is obvious, but I also hate to bring our losses into it at all. (ETA- We don't share the same values with my family in a LOT of areas, so we'd have to be careful with that.)</p> <p>@ladybee: Those are cute! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031539 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:51:15 +0000 ladybee 2031539@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about a sprinkle? We did a baby BBQ and loved it. </p> [attach=2199/15/nig7lf.337x600.image.jpg] [attach=2199/15/nig7lg.337x600.image.jpg] [attach=2199/15/nig7lh.337x600.image.jpg] https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031535 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:48:03 +0000 Little Misters Mom 2031535@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think just call it what it is: "Please Join Us for a BBQ, cocktails, brunch, etc to celebrate the impending arrival of Baby Torchwood!" In terms of gifts, I think the technical etiquette is to not mention them at all. People who want to get you something to celebrate this baby will, and those who don't won't. If you don't register then I think they'll understand you aren't looking for gifts. If you feel really strongly, a little "Your presence is present enough, please!" written in small letters on the bottom is cute. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031530 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:43:54 +0000 Mrs.Pinecone316 2031530@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I think in general, people would feel uncomfortable coming to a party to celebrate a baby and not bring a little gift, even if it says no gifts on the invite. Especially given your circumstance I don't think anyone would not want to shower this new baby with something. But if you really don't need anything at all or don't want more outfits, best bet is to just not make a registry and do as PP said about "in lieu of gifts..." </p> <p>I think the BBQ invite is so cute, great idea.</p> <p>Congrats! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031524 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:37:23 +0000 Mrs. Jacks 2031524@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We're going to do a post baby open house. I do not want to jinx anything! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031523 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:36:31 +0000 LAZB 2031523@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I can message you with the invite if you'd like </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031522 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:35:43 +0000 LAZB 2031522@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I just had a similar situation, and we called mine a "baby celebration". We did a blessingway, which was so nice, and no focus on gifts. Some people did bring gifts, we are having a girl this time, but I didn't open them until after I got home. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031520 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:31:26 +0000 Mrs. Confetti 2031520@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What if you specifically say "in lieu of gifts, please make a donation to..." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/what-to-call-a-baby-celebration-thats-not-really-a-shower#post-2031516 Mon, 19 Jan 2015 18:29:31 +0000 Torchwood 2031516@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Charm54: Honestly, I don't want to deal with it once baby is here. I love planning parties and want to do a lot for it, and I won't be up for that with a newborn. </p> <p>Though having started this thread, I just found this on Pinterest. It will most likely be outdoors, so maybe something like this? </p> [attach=3674/15/nig6l7.400x600.56304f0eb435582480474086accc5aae.jpg]